Drying Locker Array For Firefighter Turnout Gear

ABSTRACT

A locker array apparatus includes a cabinet including a storage region, a plurality of air inlets of the storage region formed in an inlet portion of the cabinet, and a plurality of air outlets of the storage region formed in an outlet portion of the cabinet, the outlet portion being distal from the inlet portion and the storage region having a volume configured to contain at least one set of firefighter turnout gear, an airflow apparatus configured to generate an airflow, and a plenum in communication from the airflow apparatus to the plurality of air inlets to direct the airflow into the storage region through the plurality of air inlets, the plenum being separate from the storage region.

BACKGROUND

The present disclosure relates generally to the field of locker arrays and particularly to locker arrays having a climate-controlled storage region, suitable for drying firefighting turnout gear and the like.

Firefighters wear fire and heat resistant uniforms, called turnout gear, for protection while battling a fire. These uniforms breakdown quickly when subjected to ultraviolet (“UV”) light generated by the sun and some fluorescent bulbs. To protect the turnout gear, many fire departments store the gear within lockers away from UV light. In use, however, the turnout gear typically gets wet from water suppression used on the scene of a fire and also from perspiration. Accordingly, firefighters often enclose the freshly used turnout gear in the lockers with at least some degree of wetness. As a result, the gear may be damp and cold at the time of next use. In the worst case, mold, mildew, and the like develops on the gear, which can be noxious and allergenic to some users. Accordingly, improvements in the presently available locker arrays for storing firefighter turnout gear are desirable.

SUMMARY

A locker array apparatus has been developed, which is suitable for the storage of wet, damp, or dry firefighter turnout gear. The locker array apparatus directs an airflow past each turnout gear within the locker array to promote evaporation of any water, which the turnout gear has absorbed. Accordingly, the locker array prevents mold, mildew, and the like from developing on the turnout gear while also shielding the turnout gear from ultraviolet light. The locker array apparatus includes a cabinet including a storage region, a plurality of air inlets of the storage region formed in an inlet portion of the cabinet, and a plurality of air outlets of the storage region formed in an outlet portion of the cabinet, the outlet portion being distal from the inlet portion and the storage region having a volume configured to contain at least one set of firefighter turnout gear, an airflow apparatus configured to generate an airflow, and a plenum in communication from the airflow apparatus to the plurality of air inlets to direct the airflow into the storage region through the plurality of air inlets, the plenum being separate from the storage region.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES

The foregoing aspects of a locker array apparatus for the storage of firefighter turnout gear are explained in the detailed description, with reference to the following figures in which:

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a locker array apparatus having an airflow apparatus configured to circulate air through a locker array;

FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the locker array apparatus of FIG. 1 having doors of the locker array removed; and

FIG. 3 is a perspective view of an alternative embodiment of the locker array apparatus of FIG. 1 also having the doors of the locker array removed.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

For the purpose of promoting an understanding of the principles of the apparatus described herein, reference is made to the embodiments illustrated in the figures and described in the following written description. It should be understood that no limitation to the scope of the apparatus is thereby intended. It is further understood that the apparatus includes any alterations and modifications to the illustrated embodiments and includes further applications of the principles of the apparatus as would normally occur to one skilled in the art to which this apparatus pertains.

FIG. 1 illustrates a locker array apparatus 100 for the storage of articles including firefighter turnout gear. The locker array 100, which may also be referred to as a locker cabinet or a locker cabinet apparatus, includes a cabinet 104, an airflow apparatus 112, and a plenum 120. The cabinet 104 may be formed from sheet metal, such as aluminum, galvanized steel, or a zinc coated steel that is corrosion resistant. In a particular embodiment, the cabinet 104 may be constructed from a sheet of the material that is bent to form a top side 132, a backside 136 (FIG. 2), and a bottom side 140 (FIG. 2). The backside 136 forms the back of the locker array 100 and in one exemplary embodiment, is 95″ wide and 84″ tall. Sidewalls 144, 148 (FIG. 2) of the cabinet 104 are formed and installed on each end of the cabinet to construct and form a box on five sides open to the front. The cabinet 104 defines a storage region 156 (FIG. 2) within the boundaries of the five sides having a volume suitable to contain at least one set of firefighter turnout gear 158′ (FIG. 3). The material of the cabinet 104 prevents the passage of UV light through the cabinet and into the storage region 156.

As shown in FIG. 2, the storage region 156 of the cabinet 104 includes multiple locker units 152 defined by dividers 160 and the cabinet 104. The dividers 160 extend from the top side 132 to bottom side 140 and from the backside 136 to the front of the cabinet 104. Each divider 160 includes an air vent 164 in the form of a numerous of perforations, to enable air to flow through the divider from one locker unit 152 to the next. The perforations of the air vents 164 are sized to prevent user access from a first locker unit 152 to an adjacent locker unit through the air vent. In some embodiments, the air vents 164 are provided as gaps between the dividers 160 and the cabinet 104. In some other embodiments the perforations of the air vents 164 are louvers or slots.

The cabinet 104 defines an air inlet portion 154 and an air outlet portion 158, which, together, enables air to enter the cabinet, flow through the storage region 156, and then exit the cabinet. As shown in FIG. 2, the inlet portion 154 is the bottom side 140 and includes numerous air inlets 162 each associated with a corresponding one of the locker units 152. In other embodiments, however, the inlet portion 154 may be defined by any other portion(s) of the cabinet 104, such as the sidewalls 144 and 148, the top side 132, or the backside 136. The air inlets 162 are provided as a plurality of perforations, enlarged in scale for clarity. The outlet portion 158 is distally positioned with respect to the inlet portion 154 and includes an air outlet 166 to enable air to escape after it has circulated the entire length of the cabinet 104. The outlet portion 158 is an upper portion of the sidewall 144; however, in other embodiments, the outlet portion may be defined by any other portion(s) of the cabinet 104 that is distally positioned from the inlet portion 154. The air outlet 166 is provided as numerous perforations, enlarged in scale for clarity. The perforations of the air outlet 166 and the air inlets 162 may be any shape, but typically define an opening less than two square centimeters in area. In another embodiment, one or more of the air inlets 162 and the air outlets 166 may be provided as louvers or slots. Depending on the direction of airflow through the cabinet 104 the air may enter or exit the air inlets 162 and air may enter or exit the air outlets 166.

Each locker unit 152 includes a shelf element 170 positioned near an upper portion of a corresponding locker unit. The shelf 170 divides the locker unit 152 into an upper locker unit portion and a lower locker unit portion. An air vent 174 is provided in each shelf 170 to enable airflow between the upper and lower locker unit portions. The air vent 174 may be provided as numerous perforations, slots, or louvers.

As shown in FIG. 2, a support element, such as a rod 178, is mounted below one of the shelves 170. The rod 178 extends between two dividers 160 or between a divider and a sidewall 144, 148. The rod 178 is of sufficient strength to support a full set of firefighter turnout gear 158′ (FIG. 3), which has been saturated with water. Therefore, in one embodiment, the rod 178 is configured to support at least 30 kilograms.

As shown in FIG. 1, doors 172 form a front side of each of the locker units 152. Each door 172 is hinged to a corresponding one of dividers 160 or a corresponding one of the sidewalls 144, 148. The doors 172 are formed of the same sheet material as the cabinet 104. A locking element 176 is provided with each door 172. The doors 172 and the cabinet 104 are generally imperforate to limit the exposure of the equipment within the locker units 152 to UV light and to form an airflow path through each portion of the cabinet when the doors are closed. Nonetheless, in some embodiments the doors 172 may include louvers on upper portion thereof.

With continued reference to FIG. 1, the airflow apparatus 112 includes an electrical motor (not shown) and a fan (not shown) mounted at one end of the cabinet 104. The electrical motor, when connected to a supply of electrical energy, rotates the fan to generate an airflow. The fan may be a squirrel-cage fan that generates an airflow of clean, dry air. The airflow apparatus 112 is positioned outside of the storage region 156 of the cabinet 104. In one embodiment, the airflow apparatus 112 may include an electrical heating element (not shown), to enable the airflow apparatus to generate a heated airflow.

As shown in FIG. 2, the plenum 120 is an air guide in communication from the airflow apparatus 112 to the storage region 156 of the cabinet 104. The plenum 120 defines an internal cavity through which the airflow travels between the airflow apparatus 112 and the storage area 156 through the air inlets 162. In particular, if the airflow apparatus 112 generates a positive airflow the plenum 120 directs air into the cabinet 104 through the air inlets 162, and if the airflow apparatus generates a negative airflow the plenum directs air withdrawn from the cabinet through the air inlets toward the airflow apparatus. The plenum 120 extends from the airflow apparatus 112 across the bottom side 140 of the cabinet 104, and an upper side of the plenum forms a base upon which the cabinet is positioned. The plenum 120 is separate from the storage region 156, such that the plenum does not extend into the storage region 156 and does not reduce the volume or quantity of articles that may be stored within the cabinet 104. Depending on the position of the air inlets 162 and the airflow apparatus 112 the plenum 120 may be positioned to contact any portion or portions of the cabinet 104 including the sidewalls 144 and 148, the top side 132, and the backside 136.

In some embodiments, the locker array 100 includes a humidity sensor 180 electronically connected to the airflow apparatus 112. The humidity sensor 180 is positioned within the storage region 156 to the contact the air within the cabinet 104. The humidity sensor 180 monitors the relative humidity of the air within the cabinet 104 and generates an electronic humidity value, which is received by the airflow apparatus 112. In embodiments of the locker array 100 having a humidity sensor 180, the airflow apparatus 112 includes a controller (not shown) that compares the relative humidity measured by the humidity sensor to a predetermined humidity value. If the controller determines that the measured humidity value is above the predetermined humidity value, the controller may activate the electrical motor to generate the airflow; whereas, if the controller determines that the measured humidity value is below the predetermined humidity value, the controller may deactivate the electrical motor to cease the airflow and conserve electrical energy.

In operation, the locker array apparatus 100 stores and dries articles stowed within the locker units 152. The locker array 100 is described herein as being useful for the storage and drying of firefighter turnout gear 158′; however, any type(s) of article may be stored and dried within the array 100 that fits within one of the locker units, including sporting equipment and outdoorsman gear. An exemplary set of firefighter turnout gear 158′ suitable for storage within one of the locker units 152 is shown in FIG. 3 and includes trousers, boots, and a jacket. A user of the locker array 100 places his or her turnout gear 158′ within one of the open locker units 152. The user may employ the rod 178 to hang certain of the equipment, thereby exposing a greater surface area of the gear to the airflow as compared to piling the turnout gear 158′ at the bottom of the locker unit 152.

Next, the user closes each door 172 and energizes the airflow apparatus 112, which generates a dry airflow that emanates from the air inlets 162. The airflow flows through each locker unit 152, including the regions above the shelves 170. One particular airflow path extends from the leftmost locker unit 152 of FIG. 2, flows through each of the dividers 160 and exits the cabinet 104 through the distally positioned air outlets 166. The airflow in each other locker unit 152 undergoes a similar path of entering one of the locker units, flowing through a divider 160, or an air vent 174, and then exiting the cabinet 104 through the air outlets 166. The airflow fills the cabinet 104 with an abundance of dry air to promote evaporation of any water absorbed within the turnout gear 158′. Accordingly, the turnout gear 158′ within the locker array 100 dries more quickly than turnout gear placed within a typical locker array. This is because the typical locker array houses stagnant air that quickly becomes saturated with water vapor from the damp turnout gear. The stagnant and saturated air prevents further drying of the turnout gear, which over time promotes the development of mold and mildew within the cabinet and on the turnout gear. Accordingly, the abundant flow of dry air through the locker array 100 eliminates the potential for development of mold, mildew, and the like by carrying the water vapor released from the damp turnout gear out of the cabinet. Depending on the embodiment, the airflow apparatus 112 may be timer controller or may be work in conjunction with the humidity sensor 180.

An alternative embodiment of the locker array 100′ is shown in FIG. 3. The locker array 100′ includes the same elements and operates in the same manner as the locker array 100, except for the following differences. The dividers 160′ are imperforate and the air outlets 166′ of the outlet portion 158′ are formed on the top side 132′ of the cabinet 104′, such that each locker unit is associated with a corresponding one of the air outlets. Accordingly, the airflow enters one of the locker units 152′, flows upward through the locker unit, and then exits the locker unit through its corresponding air outlet 166′ in the top side 132′ of the cabinet 104′. The embodiment of FIG. 3 may be useful for preventing airborne elements of a first locker unit 152′ from permeating through the entire cabinet 104′. Also in the locker array 100′, the humidity sensor 180′ is in an alternative location within the storage region 156′.

The locker units 152, 152′ of the locker array 100 and 100′ may be freestanding locker units each having a sidewalls, a bottom side, a top side, and a backside. The freestanding locker units may be placed adjacent to each other to form the cabinet 104, 104′ of the locker array 100, 100′. Additionally, the freestanding locker units may be modified to receive and to expel the airflow generated by airflow apparatus 112, 112′.

While the locker array apparatus 100, 100′ has been illustrated and described in detail in the figures and the foregoing detailed description, the same should be considered as illustrative and not restrictive in character. It is understood that only the preferred embodiments have been presented and that all changes, modifications, and further applications that come within the spirit of the apparatus are desired to be protected. 

1. A locker array apparatus comprising: a cabinet including a storage region, a plurality of air inlets of the storage region formed in an inlet portion of the cabinet, and a plurality of air outlets of the storage region formed in an outlet portion of the cabinet, the outlet portion being distal from the inlet portion and the storage region having a volume configured to contain at least one set of firefighter turnout gear; an airflow apparatus configured to generate an airflow; and a plenum in communication from the airflow apparatus to the plurality of air inlets to direct the airflow into the storage region through the plurality of air inlets, the plenum being separate from the storage region.
 2. The locker array apparatus of claim 1 wherein the at least one set of firefighter turnout gear includes at least a pair trousers, a pair of boots, and a jacket.
 3. The locker array apparatus of claim 1, the cabinet further comprising: a plurality of dividers positioned within the storage region to divide the storage region into a plurality of locker units, each of the locker units being associated with at least a corresponding one of the plurality of air inlets.
 4. The locker array apparatus of claim 3, each divider of the plurality of dividers further comprising: an air vent to enable fluid communication between each of the locker units.
 5. The locker array apparatus of claim 3, the cabinet further comprising: a plurality of support elements, each support element is associated with a corresponding one of the plurality of locker units and is configured to support at least a portion of the at least one set of firefighter turnout gear.
 6. The locker array apparatus of claim 3, the cabinet further comprising: a plurality of shelf elements, each shelf element being configured to divide a corresponding one of the plurality of locker units into a first locker unit portion and a second locker unit portion.
 7. The locker array apparatus of claim 6, each shelf element of the plurality of shelf elements further comprising: an air vent to enable fluid communication between the first locker unit portion and the second locker unit portion.
 8. The locker array apparatus of claim 3 wherein each locker unit is associated with at least a corresponding one of the plurality of air outlets.
 9. The locker array apparatus of claim 1 wherein the inlet portion of the cabinet is a bottom side of the cabinet and the outlet portion of the cabinet is the upper portion of a sidewall of the cabinet.
 10. The locker array apparatus of claim 1, wherein a bottom side of the cabinet is positioned upon an upper side of the plenum.
 11. The locker array apparatus of claim 1, wherein the bottom side of the cabinet is the inlet portion and the plurality of air inlets are a plurality of perforations, each perforation of the plurality of perforations defining an area less than two square centimeters.
 12. The locker array apparatus of claim 1, wherein the plurality of air outlets are a plurality of perforations, each perforation of the plurality of perforations defining an area less than two square centimeters.
 13. The locker array apparatus of claim 1, further comprising: a humidity sensor positioned within the storage region, the humidity sensor being operably connected to the airflow apparatus and configured to generate a humidity value representative of a relative humidity of the storage region, wherein the airflow apparatus is configured to generate the airflow in response to the humidity value being above a predetermined valve and to cease generating the airflow in response to the humidity value being below the predetermined value.
 14. The locker array apparatus of claim 1, wherein the cabinet is formed of a material configured to prevent the passage of ultraviolet light into the storage region. 